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Up until a couple of years ago, I didn’t think exercise was for me. It belonged to the ‘already fit’, as I saw them. Now, I go to the gym and also spend hours dancing. It’s great for body and mind – and really helps me keep stress at bay.

Crawley MP Henry Smith has welcomed the Chancellor of the Exchequer’s Budget (on Monday, 29th October), which includes a real terms increase in investment for public services, cuts to income tax, backing for the high street and support with the cost of living.

Henry Smith MP has welcomed a Government announcement on additional funding for local authorities in England to ease pressures on social care over winter, including more than £3.3 million for West Sussex.

Last week, the full council meeting took place at Crawley Borough Council which saw Labour shamelessly playing political games. The issue raised is very worthy and there is cross-party support for it, but my colleagues and I are actively seeking solutions, not playing politics.

Henry Smith MP has welcomed the Secretary of State for Education, Rt Hon Damian Hinds MP, on a visit to the Gatwick School in Crawley (on Thursday, 18th October) to see the school’s progress since its opening four years ago.

Crawley MP and All-Party Parliamentary Group on Blood Cancer Chair Henry Smith has reiterated his support for the fight against blood cancer by raising awareness of the need for more blood stem cell donors to register as a potential lifesaver with DKMS.

Henry Smith MP has questioned the Prime Minister in the House of Commons on the return of further health services to Crawley (on Wednesday, 10th October).

In his second Prime Minister’s Question (PMQ) in as many months, the Crawley MP asked Theresa May about the NHS ten year plan, due to be published in the coming weeks.

Henry said;

“Health services continue to return to Crawley, but more needs to be done to put right the decisions taken over a decade ago.

“The Prime Minister has already confirmed that by 2023-24, the NHS England budget will increase by £20.5 billion a year in real terms compared with today; a real terms increase of £394 million a week more.

“With the upcoming publication of the NHS ten year plan it’s vital that we see more services return to Crawley, with a real focus on such local healthcare provision in the NHS plan.”

NHS funding is to increase on average by 3.4 per cent in real terms each year from 2019-20 to 2023-24.

Henry’s question follows his PMQ last month, where he asked Theresa May about the importance of support for blood cancer patients. The Crawley MP has been chosen by his parliamentary colleagues to serve as Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Blood Cancer since its formation in 2016.

Henry Smith, Member of Parliament for Crawley, asked the Prime Minister;

“In 2005, the then Labour Government closed accident and emergency at Crawley Hospital. I am delighted that my right hon. Friend has committed to have additional resources for the National Health Service, including as part of the Brexit dividend.

“Can I get an assurance that the upcoming NHS plan will include a return for local services at its heart?”

The Prime Minister, Rt Hon Theresa May MP, responded;

“Absolutely, I can give my hon. Friend that assurance. Obviously, the long-term plan for the National Health Service is being developed by the National Health Service in conjunction with clinicians and people at a local level. It is absolutely clear that we need to ensure that we recognise the importance of those community services.

“As my hon. Friend says, it is this Government who are not only putting in place a long-term plan to support the National Health Service but also that longer-term funding, which will see the biggest cash boost ever in the history of the national health service.”

Many headlines at the moment are related to our leaving the European Union. I personally am quite relaxed about this and have confidence that whatever the outcome of negotiations between the EU and the UK, that we have a bright future as an independent and outward-looking global nation. It is however disappointing that Labour’s official position is to vote in parliament against any deal that the Government obtains, simply because it is a Conservative Government negotiating it. As ever with Labour, this is about trying to inflict damage against the Conservatives for their own short-term political gain, rather than doing what is right for the country.